Guernsey pound

The pound is the currency used in Guernsey.

History

Until the early 19th century, Guernsey used predominantly French currency. In 1830, Guernsey began production of copper coins denominated in doubles. The double was worth 1/80 of a French franc. The name "double" derived from the French "double deniers", although the value of the coin was equal to the liard (three deniers piece) still circulating. Coins were issued in denominations of 1, 2, 4 and 8 doubles. The 8 double coin was a "Guernsey penny", with twelve to the "Guernsey shilling" (worth 1.20FF). However, this shilling was not equal to the British shilling (worth 1.26FF as the exchange rate was 25.22 FF = £1). This resulted in there being 21 Guernsey shillings to the British pound.

Banknotes were also produced by the States of Guernsey from 1827, denominated in pounds. In 1914, three new banknotes appeared. Two carried denominations in (Guernsey) shillings and francs, namely 5 shillings / 6 francs and 10 shillings / 12 francs. The third was a one pound note.

In 1921, Guernsey adopted a pound equal to the pound sterling as its currency, increasing the value of the double from 1/2016 to 1/1920 of a pound. The WWI issue of banknotes were overstamped with the word "British" to indicate this change. New banknotes and british silver coinage circulated alongside the double coins, with threepence coins minted specially for Guernsey from 1956.

In 1971, along with the rest of the British Isles, Guernsey decimalized and began issuing a full range of coin denominations from ½p to 50p (£1 and £2 coins followed later).

Where the currency is accepted

The Guernsey pound, the pound sterling (including Scottish and Northern Irish notes) and the Jersey pound may be used in Guernsey. Some shops will also accept euros and other currencies can be exchanged in bureaux de change.

The Guernsey pound is legal tender only in Guernsey, but also circulates freely in Jersey. It can also be exchanged in other places using banks and bureaux de change.

Coinage

Between 1830 and 1956, Guernsey's four coin denominations, 1, 2, 4 and 8 doubles, all carried very similar designs, with the Island's arms and name (spelt Guernesey) on the obverse and the denomination and date on the reverse. In addition, the 8 double coins featured a wreath on both sides.

In 1956, new desings were introduced for the 4 and 8 doubles (the lower denominations were no longer issued). These featured the Island's arms and name (now given as S'Ballivie Insule de Gernereve) on the obverse with the English name, the date and the Guernsey lily on the reverse. Threepences were also issued, with the same obverse and a reverse featuring the Guernsey cow.

The first decimal issues continued with the same obverse as the last predecimal issues until 1985, when Raphael Maklouf's portrait of Queen Elizabeth II was added. Ian Rank-Broadley's portrait of the Queen has appeared since 1998. Designs on the reverses of Guernsey's decimal coins are:

Value	1968-1984	1985-
½p	Numeral
1p	Gannet	Crab
2p	Windmill	Guernsey cows
5p	Guernsey Lily	Yachts
10p	Guernsey cow	Tomatoes
20p	Guernsey Milk Can	Cog and Map
50p	Duke of Normandy's Cap	Guernsey Freesia
£1	Guernsey Lily (1981) H.M.S. Crescent (1983)	Abstract Design
£2		Flag

Banknotes

Denomination	Dimensions	Dominant Colour	Obverse	Reverse
£1	128 x 65 mm	Green	The Market, St Peter Port	Daniel De Lisle Brock, Bailiff of Guernsey 1762-1842, The Royal Court, St Peter Port, 1840
£5	137 x 70 mm	Pink	Queen Elizabeth II, The Town Church	Fort Grey, Hanois Lighthouse 1862
£10	142 x 75 mm	Blue/Orange	Queen Elizabeth II, Elizabeth College	Saumarez Park, Les Niaux Watermill, Le Trepid Dolmen
£20	150 x 80 mm	Pink	Queen Elizabeth II, St James Concert Hall	Vale Castle, St Sampson's Church
£50	156 x 85 mm	Brown	Queen Elizabeth II, Royal Court House	Point de la Mare, StLa Gran'mère, Letter of Marque, St Andrew's Church

Alderney pound

The island of Alderney has its own currency, which by law must be the same as the United Kingdom.

Schedule 2 of the Government of Alderney Law provides that the States of Alderney may, by Ordinance, prescribe "the legal currency and denominations of the legal currency, so however that that currency, and those denominations shall be the same in Alderney as in the United Kingdom; and prescribing those notes and coins the tender of which is a legal tender of the payment of money".

In normal use, Guernsey and English notes and coins circulate side by side year round, while in the Summer tourist season, Jersey notes and coins are also common, as well as Scottish and occasionally even Manx, or Northern Irish notes. Alderney does not issue its own notes.

Alderney coins are widely available to collectors but are not in general circulation. (Since 1989, Alderney has issued occasional commemorative coins of £1, £2, or £5 face value in cupro-nickel, silver, or gold).

External links

Guernsey Numismatic Lists and pictures, historical and present-day coins and notes

Guernsey